European Corn Borer Numbers Are Up in 2009

Like 2008, first generation European corn borer activity has increased compared to the early 2000s. Dr. Tom Sappington (USDA-ARS Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Lab, Ames) and entomologists in Nebraska have recently reported increased adult catches in black light traps and in sweep net sampling. This means that corn not protected against corn borers, including refuge corn, should be scouted now for European corn borers to determine if an insecticide needs to be applied